Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari praises police, vows to hear lower-rank grievances
Synopsis
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari broke from protocol at Barrackpore on 30 July — sharing lunch with constables, openly admitting the state's debt burden, and promising to personally hear grievances from lower-rank officers. It is a calculated morale push for a force stretched thin by resource shortfalls.
Key Takeaways
CM Suvendu Adhikari attended an event at Barrackpore Police Training School , North 24 Parganas , on 30 July .
He openly acknowledged West Bengal's heavy debt burden and infrastructural deficiencies facing police personnel.
Adhikari praised the force for achievements over the past ten weeks in areas including women's safety, border security, and anti-corruption drives.
He announced he will directly listen to grievances of lower-rank police personnel , not just senior IPS officers.
The Chief Minister shared lunch with police personnel at the event, signalling an effort to boost ground-level morale.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday, 30 July commended the state police for their performance despite acute financial constraints and crumbling infrastructure, while announcing that he will directly engage with lower-ranking personnel to hear their grievances. The remarks came at an event at the Barrackpore Police Training School in North 24 Parganas district, where Adhikari also shared lunch with officers and constables.
Acknowledging the State's Financial Strain
Chief Minister Adhikari did not shy away from admitting the fiscal reality facing West Bengal. 'If there were some good things in the previous practices, there were many bad things. Then cut your coat according to your cloth. There is a lot of debt in this state,' he said, addressing the gathering before the meal.
He went further in detailing the on-ground difficulties faced by personnel deployed in remote postings, stating: 'Overall, you are in a lot of trouble, we know. You have to work in remote areas. There is no place to stay, no purified drinking water, logistical support, cars, horses, etc. There are many shortcomings.'
Praising Police Performance Over the Past Ten Weeks
Despite the acknowledged hardships, Adhikari highlighted what he described as significant achievements by the force over the preceding two months. He specifically praised police action in combating corruption, maintaining law and order, arresting identified criminals, securing the state's borders, identifying infiltrators, and improving safety for women.
'Even in that (adversities), you can do it. Because in the last two months or ten weeks, you have done a lot of good work, be it in combating corruption, maintaining law and order, arresting identified criminals, securing borders, identifying infiltrators or in providing security to our mothers, sisters, daughters,' the Chief Minister said. He added that the force had set a strong example as a disciplined unit in a short span of time.
Direct Outreach to Lower-Rank Personnel
In what could prove a significant shift in how the state's political leadership engages with its police force, Adhikari announced that his interactions would not be confined to senior officers. 'There will be meetings not only with IPS, DG, ADG, IG. I will also listen to your pains, grievances, and grievances,' he told the assembled personnel.
This commitment to bypass traditional hierarchical channels and engage directly with constables and lower-rank officers is notable, particularly given ongoing concerns about morale within the force amid resource shortfalls.
Context and What It Signals
The event at Barrackpore Police Training School comes amid a broader transition in West Bengal's political landscape, with the new administration seeking to reset the relationship between the government and the police establishment. Notably, the Chief Minister's candid acknowledgement of debt and infrastructure gaps — rather than deflecting blame — marks a deliberate effort to build trust with rank-and-file personnel.
How the government translates these assurances into budgetary allocations and operational improvements will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
If followed through, could reshape ground-level loyalty within the force. The real test will be whether budget allocations in the next cycle reflect these promises, or whether this remains a well-received speech in a training school canteen.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Suvendu Adhikari say about West Bengal Police at Barrackpore?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari praised the West Bengal Police for their work over the past ten weeks despite severe financial and infrastructure constraints. Speaking at the Barrackpore Police Training School on 30 July, he acknowledged the state's debt burden and the difficult conditions officers face in remote postings.
What announcement did Adhikari make for lower-rank police personnel?
Adhikari announced that he will personally listen to the grievances of lower-ranking police personnel, not just senior officers such as IPS, DG, ADG, and IG-rank officials. This direct engagement commitment was seen as a morale-boosting measure for the force.
Where did the CM's police event take place?
The event was held at the Barrackpore Police Training School in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, on 30 July. Adhikari also shared lunch with police personnel at the venue.
What areas did Adhikari praise the police for?
The Chief Minister specifically praised the police for their work in combating corruption, maintaining law and order, arresting identified criminals, securing state borders, identifying infiltrators, and ensuring the safety of women over the preceding two months.
What financial challenges did Adhikari admit West Bengal faces?
Adhikari openly acknowledged that the state carries a heavy debt burden and that police personnel face significant infrastructural shortfalls, including lack of accommodation in remote areas, absence of purified drinking water, and inadequate logistical support such as vehicles.
